Dripless faucet



Feb. 4, 1941. R, D. MclNTbSH 2,230,512

DRIPLESS FAUCET Filed Dec. 12, 19:58

Patented Feb. 4, 1941 DRIPLESS FAUCET Robert D. McIntosh, River Forest, 11]., assignor to The Imperial Brass Manufacturln g, Company,

Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois V ApplicationDecember 12 1938, Serial No. 245,234 11 Claims. (01. 277-39) My invention relates to dripless faucets and particularly those of a type which may be adapted for use in drawing oif liquids from a barrel or some similar container.

Among the objects of my invention is the provision of a new and improved dripless faucet construction which embodies the use of .a valve to which is attached a spout for dispensing the liquid in such a manner, that the spout may be used as a handle for turning the faucet on an off.

Another object is the provision of a new and improved dripless faucet device which incorporates two valves, both operating to open and close the passageway through the valve body, one of them being positioned at the outlet end of the body and provided with a spout for directing liquid into the vessel to be filled and the other positioned inwardly from the end adapted to turnthe faucet on and off, there being provision made in some instances whereby when the spout is raised it becomes impossible to turn the shut-off valve on and when the spout is lowered the operator is unable to raise it until the shut-off valve is turned off.

Still another .object is to provide anew and improved dripless faucet provided with a valve at the outlet and equipped with a spout and an intermediate shut-off valve so arranged that when the shut-oil valve has been turned to off position the spout can be raised, thereby moving a second valve to oil position so that there will be no dripping from the end of the spout.

A further object is the provision of a new and improved combination dripless faucet which includes a pair of valves operated in a predetermined sequence to completely shut off the faucet in order to prevent liquid dripping from the end after removal of a vessel which is filled therefrom and in addition a liquid level gauge directly mounted upon the faucet so that the operator can tell at a glance whether there is sufficient liquid head upon the faucet to enable him to fill a container of a given capacity.

A further object still is the provision of a new and improved dripless valved spout wherein a drip spout for dispensing liquid from a faucet is directly connected to the passage in a valve plug otherwise sealed in the valve body and so arranged that the spout supplies not only a dispensing tube but also a means for turning the valve on and off.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my -to a liquid container in a device whereby the objects contemplated are at-v tained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows the dripless faucet attached position for filling a suitable vessel;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal elevation of the faucet shown partially in section;

Figure 3 is a top view in section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the faucet drawn .to a similar scale.

In drawing liquids from kegs, barrels and similar containers customarily set upon racks in a dispensing station it has been customary to use valves and faucets of a construction wherein a single valve seat only has been utilized for turning the flow of liquid on and ofi. Under such circumstances it often happens that the liquid which is being handled is of such a character that after a quantity has been drawn off through the faucet, valve or similar device to fill some vessel a .fewdrops remain in the faucet and fall to the fioor after the vessel is removed. Although only a few drops at a time might fall to the floor, continued use of the device causes an accumulation of liquid on the floor which renders the condition of the premises objectionable. This is especially true in the case of oil dispensing faucets used so frequently in service stations where oil is drawn from barrels positioned upon racks into quart containers frequently used to service automobiles.

By reason of the heavy viscosity of oil and the sluggishness of its flow it is almost impossible to completely shut off the drip from a faucet in a reasonably short length of time. Accordingly, some other'means of preventing drip after the faucet has been shut off must be devised. This method in the present instance includes a rotating spout which can be turned downwardly when a container such as that illustrated is being filled and which, after the main valve has been shut off, can be elevated to an upward position thereby completely eliminating any drip of oil which might remain wetting the sides of the dispensing spout.

As shown in the drawing, a dripless faucet A is shown attached, for example, to a barrel B which is mounted upon some suitable rack so that a dispensing jar C may be placed under the faucet in order to receive the oil.

The faucet itself comprises a valve body I 0 having a central longitudinal passage l2 which communicates at the left end with a threaded connection l4 designed to be inserted into the head of a barrel B and at the right end terminates in a plug or drip valve l5. Intermediate the threaded end l4 and the plug valve ii there is positioned a barrel type shut-off valve generally indicated by the character l8.

The shut-off valve comprises a tapered valve seat 20 positioned perpendicular to the axis of the passage l2 with the wider portion uppermost. In the valve seat there is positioned a valve plug 22 having a stem 24 projecting vertically above the valve body upon which is positioned a handle lever 28 for turning the valve on and oil. The handle lever is provided with a projection 28 which engages a stop 88 to limit rotation of the valve to an on position and a corresponding stop not shown which limits the valve at a full on position.

A passage 82 extends through the valve plug and is made rather elongated in dimension so that its cross-sectional area will approximate the cross-sectional area of the entrance of the longitudinal passage i2 through the valve body.

The plug valve is held in place by means of a coiled spring 34 compressed between a pin 35 in the lower end 38 of the valve stem and a washer 40 bearing upon the valve body adjacent the smallest end of the valve seat 28. w

The plug valve device or dispensing valve, as it may readily be termed in this instance, located at the end of the valve body is also a barrel type valve device comprising a portion 42 of the main valve body positioned somewhat in the form of a cross at the outer end within which is a correspondingly positioned aperture defining a ta pered seat 44 positioned perpendicular to the axis of the longitudinal passage and also at an angle of some with respect to the position of the shut-off valve. In the illustration shown the axis of the dispensing valve seat lies in a horizontal plane.

The smaller end of the tapered valve seat 44 is closed by a section 45 of the valve body while the larger end is left open and adapted to be closed by a cap or plug 48 which may be threadably secured thereinto. A tapered valve plug 50 is designed to be inserted in the valve seat and is provided with an apertured projection 52 for manipulating it into position when assembled. The valve plug is held in operating and seating position by means of a coiled spring 54 retained by the closure 48 against the large end of the valve plug. The valve plug 58 is provided with a diametrical passage 55 of substantially the same cross-sectional area as the longitudinal passage through the faucet.

A dispensing or dripless spout 58 forms the outlet from the faucet and is shown in curved design having one end 58 inserted threadably into the passage 55 of the valve plug 50 and another end 82 directed downwardly for filling a vessel such as the jar C. In order that the spout may be moved from the downward position shown by the full line section in Figure 2 to the upward dotted line position, there is provided an elongated circumferential recess 54 in the portion 42 of the valve body which is substantially the same width as the diameter of the spout and extends through an angular distance of approximately 90.

To add to the serviceability of the device there is provided a rod 5| inserted. into the side of the handle 25 and at right angles wit. The rod is made of such a length that it reaches beyond the location of the spout when in raised position.

In order that an operator may determine the liquid head present on the valve structure there I is provided a projection 10 on the valve body ad- Operation When the operator wishes to fill a container C from a barrel B means of the dripless faucet, the spout 52 is r 'tated to a downward position such as that shown in Figure 1 and inserted into the end of the vessel to be filled. Thereafter the handle lever 28 is rotated in a horizontal direction from its lateral off position to a forwardly extended position such as shown in Figure 1, whereupon a. large quantity of oil from the barrel immediately flows through the passage I2 and spout 58 into the vessel (2. When the vessel has been filled, the handle lever 28 is returned to a lateral shut-off position which immediately shuts off all flow of oil through the faucet and any quantity of oil remaining in the spout 58 immediately passes downward into the vessel. In order that the remaining oil which adheres tothe inner walls of the spout 58 may not afterward drip to the floor, the spout is then raised either by pushing upward on the spout with the cap of the jar or by lifting it upward with the fingers of the same hand used to return the shut-oil valve to its shut-off position. With the spout 58 in an upwardly extended position it will be impossible for any residual oil to drip from it to the floor.

It will be noted that when the spout is in upward position it will not be possible for the operator to pull the hand lever 25 to an open position, by reason of the fact that the rod 5| bears against the spout to hold the handle in oil. position. Therefore the spout must first be lowered to a dispensing position before the shut-off valve 20 can be turned on.

In shutting the valve off also a safety feature is taken advantage of consisting of a downwardly bent end portion of the handle 26. The shape of the handle bringing it to a position immediately over the spout at "on position prevents raising the spout to "01? position until the main shut-off valve 20 has been shut off first. By reason of such an arrangement it will not be possible to spill oil from a spout which is still running by inadvertently lifting it upward, before the flow of. oil through the faucet is completely shut off. These safety features greatly facilitate use of the faucet and promote its proper and efficient operation.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of -the parts of my device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention. I therefore intend to cover any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within the scope of my appended claims.

What I claim as my invention and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States Patent Ofllce is:

1. A dripless faucet for drawing liquid from a container comprising a valve body having a central liquid passage therethrough from end to end, an open portion formed at one end of the passage and a valve and dispensing spout operable therewith forming an outlet at the other end, said valve having an open setting when the spout is in one position and a closed setting when the spout is in another position, said dispensing spout being connected with the valve and adapted to shift the valve between said positions and a shut-oil valve in the passage intermediate the open portion and the first mentioned valve mounted at an angle with respect to said first mentioned valve and a handle on the shut-off valve having an on position coincident with the position of the spout when at one setting to prevent turning on said shut-ofi valve when the spout occupies said one setting.

2. A dripless faucet for drawing liquid from a container comprising a valve body having a liquid passage therethrough and an end adapted to be secured in the container, a tapered valve seat in the passage and a valve plug rotatably positioned in the seat so that the longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the axis of the passage, said valve plug being provided with a passage therethrough, a stem protruding from one side of the casing, a lever on the stem for turning the valve oil and on, stop means for determining on and off positions rape'ctively and resilient means for holding the valve in-seating position, a second tapered valve seat in the'passage and a valve plug rotatably positioned in the seat so that the longitudinal axis thereof; is perpendicular to the axis of the passage at'r'ight angles to the axis of said first valve plug,;said second valve plug being provided with a; passage therethrough and means for holding the plug in seated position, a spout attached to one end of the passage in said second plug, and an elongated circumferential recess in the valve body adapted to receive the spout so that said spout can be used to rotate said second valve between a limited on position and a limited oil position, said lever having its on position for the first valve substantially coincident with the position of said spout when at off position to prevent turning on the first valve when the spout is at off position.

3. A dripless faucet for drawing liquid from a container comprising a valve body having a passage therethrough for liquid and a threaded opening for screwing into the container, a tapered valve seat in the passage adjacent said opening and a valve plug rotatably positioned in the seat so that the longitudinal axis is vertical provided with a passage therethrough, a stem protruding from the upper side of the easing, a lever on the stern rotatable in a horizontal plane for turning the valve oif and on, stop means for determining the full on and full 01f positions respectively and means on the opposite side for holding the valve in seating position, a second tapered valve seat in the passage and a valve plug rotatably positioned in the seat so that the longitudinal axis thereof is horizontal provided with a passage therethrough and means for holding the plug in seated position, a spout extending from the outer end of the valve body having one end attached to said last plug at the passage therein, and means forming an elongated circumferential recess in the valve body adapted to receive the spout so that said spout can be moved to rotate said second valve between a limited on position wherein the spout is directed generally downward in a direction coinciding with the direction of said lever when in on position and a limited off position wherein the spout is directed generally upward in a direction conthereto adapted to be moved from a retracted off position to an advanced on position, a dispensing valve positioned at the casing outlet, and a dispensing'spout inserted in the valve body cooperable with said dispensing valve forming an outlet passage therefrom adaptedto be moved manually between an oil position and an on position, said hand lever being positioned to overlie the spout when in on position so that said spout cannot be raised to oif position until said lever is removed therefrom.

5. A dripless faucet for drawing liquid from a container comprising a double valve device adapted to be manipulated by an operator by use of one hand only for filling small mouthed containers held in the other hand including a valve body having a connection for insertion in the container and an outlet opening, a shut-01f valve in the body having a stem extending upward and a hand leverextending horizontally outward therefrom adapted to be moved from a lateral off position to a forward on position, a dispensing valve positioned at an angle with respect to the shut-off valve at the casing outlet, means forming a recess in the valve body and a dispensing spout in the recess inserted in the valve body forming an outlet passage therefrom adapted to be moved manually between an upward off position and a downwardly directed on position, said hand lever being positioned to overlie the spout when in on position so that said spout cannot be raised to off position until said lever is returned to ofl position.

6. In a dripless faucet for drawing liquid from a container, a valve body having a passage extending therethrough communicating with the container at one end and a valve for closing the other end having an aperture forming a valve seat positioned at an angle to the axis of the passage, said aperture being closed at one end thereof and open at another end, a valve rotatably positioned in said seat having a passage extending therethrough, said body having a recess extending about and penetrating the valve seat, a dispensing spout being inserted through the recess into said valve adapted to be moved together with the valve through the recess between an open position and a closed position, a closure for sealing the open end of the valve seat opening, and means associated with the closure and the valve plug for holding said valve in operating position.

7. In a dripless faucet for drawing liquid from a container, a valve body having a passage extending therethrough from end to end communicating with the container at one end, and a valve for closing the other end having an aperture forming a valve seat positioned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the passage, said aperture being closed at one end thereof and open at the other end, a valve plug rotatably positioned in said seat having a passage extending laterally therethrough, said body having a circumferentially disposed recess extending about and penetrating the seat, a dispensing spout. inserted through the recess into said valve plug having the entrance thereof in line with said passage when in open position adapted to be moved together with the valve plug through the recess between an open position and a closed position, a closure for sealing the open end of the valve seat opening, and means associated with the closure and the valve plug for holding said valve in operating position, and an intermediate shut-off valve in the passage adapted to control the liquid before it reaches said valve plug having a passage laterally therethrough in line with the passage in said first valve plug when both valves are in open position.

8. In a dripless faucet for drawing liquid from a container, a valve body having a passage extending therethrough from end to end communicating with the container at one end, and a valve for closing the other end having an aperture forming a tapered valve seat at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the passage, said aperture being closed at the small end thereof and open at the large end, a tapered valve plug rotatably positioned in said seat having a passage extending diametrically therethrough, said body having a circumferentially disposed recess extending substantially 90 about and penetrating the tapered seat, a dispensing spout inserted through the recess into the passage in said valve plug having a base extending in a substantially vertical direction at closed position and adapted to be moved together with the valve plug against one end of the recess to an open position wherein the base of said spout lies in a substantially horizontal position and against another end of the recess to said closed position, a threaded closure plug for sealing the open end of the tapered valve seat opening, a spring positioned between the threaded plug and the valve plug for holding said valve in operating position, and an intermediate shut-off valve in the passage adapted to control the liquid before it reaches said valve plug having a transverse passage therethrough extending in a horizontal direction in alignment with the base of said spout when in open position.

9. A dripless faucet for drawing liquid from a container comprising a shut-off valve provided with a handle rotatable in one direction and a drip valve provided with a spout adapted to be pivoted in another direction between open and closed positions, and means on the shut-off valve handle adapted to prevent turning the shut-off valve to on position until the drip valve is turned to on position.

10. A dripless faucet for drawing liquid from a container comprising a shut-oil? valve provided with a handle and a drip valve provided with a spout adapted to be pivoted between open and closed positions, means on the shut-off valve handle cooperable with said spout adapted to prevent turning the shut-off valve to on position until the drip valve is turned to on position and means on said handle adapted to prevent lifting said spout to shut off the drip valve until said shut-off valve has been turned to of! position.

11. A dripless faucet for drawing liquid from a container comprising a shut-off valve provided with a handle and a drip valve provided with a spout adapted to be pivoted between open and closed positions, means on the shut-off valve handle comprising an extension engagin the spout adapted to prevent turning the shut-off valve to on position until the drip valve is turned to on position and means on said handle comprising a portion thereof overlying said spout when in on position adapted to prevent lifting said spout to shut off the drip valve until said shut-off valve has been turned to of! position.

ROBERT D. McINTOSH. 

